The fertile environment of western Italy that gave birth to Rome was dominated in its earliest phases by the great cities of the Etruscans. Rome originated as just one of many communities on the western seaboard of Italy, and for much of its earliest history was overshadowed by its Etruscan neighbours. Etruscan society was renowned in antiquity for its characteristic sophistication and luxury. At their peak, the Etruscans were thought to have controlled much of Italy and the western Mediterranean. Ancient authors regarded them as a formative influence on Rome. But the Etruscans are often viewed in isolation from Rome, as a ‘lost’ civilization that peaked early and fell away. This course will examine the truth behind this image, and the extent to which Etruria influenced Rome. This module will also explore how the emergence of the Etruscans and Rome was linked to Mediterranean-wide changes in the first millennium BC, such as the growth in power of the Near Eastern kingdoms, the emergence of city-states across the Greek world, and the foundation of Phoenician cities such as Carthage. We will also cover the early history and archaeology of Rome, from its legendary beginnings in the aftermath of the Trojan War to the first years of the historical Republic. We will consider its emergence as a power in central Italy, the early development of its political and social institutions, and the first indications of its traditional values and ideology.

• A knowledge of the main events in the history of Rome and the most important Etruscan cities, and an understanding of their geographical context.

• A knowledge of the archaeological, epigraphic and numismatic evidence for aspects of early Roman and Etruscan society such as political organisation, social and economic life, religious activity and ethnic identity.

• An ability to assess the historical implications of this evidence.

• A knowledge of the ancient literary texts that deal with early Rome and the Etruscans and an awareness of the perspectives embodied in them.

• An ability to compare and combine this information with the picture of the material evidence.

• An ability to discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.

10 two hour teaching sessions

One fieldtrip to the British Museum

Independent study; 1 coursework feedback tutorial; 1 revision session

The teaching sessions provide an introduction to a particular topic, establishing the key points of major course themes, identifying important issues, and providing guidance for more in-depth reading. They aim to provide a basic framework for understanding, and should be thought of as a useful starting-point for further discussion and independent study. Slides and handouts, where appropriate, are used to illustrate the material discussed.

Independent study enables students to familiarise themselves with the primary source material and the most important modern approaches and debates on the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for major themes.

Essay feedback tutorials provide students with an opportunity to get feedback and guidance on all aspects of their written work.

• analysis of a variety of different types of historical evidence, such as literary texts and material evidence
• observation and visual analysis
• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas
• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence
• contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management
• bibliographic and referencing skills

The module will be assessed through participation in the fieldtrip to the British Museum (including a short peer group presentation) (10%), a 1,500 word museum artefact study (45%), and an exam consisting of an essay and a source criticism question (45%). 

The coursework and exam questions will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and critical understanding of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to the history and archaeology of early Rome and Etruria.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Students who fail the module will normally be expected to resit the failed component(s) in the summer resit period. Students who fail the fieldtrip element will be required to produce presentation notes on their chosen object.

The sources for Etruscan and early Roman history

Roman and Etruscan myths of origins

The Villanovan and Orientalising periods

Urbanisation and settlement patterns; early communities in Etruria and at Rome

Government and social structure

Roman and Etruscan history in the archaic and classical period, including the kings and the foundation of Republican regimes in Rome and the Etruscan cities

Language, literacy and literature

Religion and sanctuaries

Death and burial

Trade and external relations; the links of the Etruscans and Romans with neighbouring peoples in the Appennines, Latium and Campania

Livy books 1–5, published by Oxford World's Classics as The Rise of Rome (trans. T. J. Luce) (1998)

G. Barker, T. Rasmussen, The Etruscans (Oxford, 1998)
L. Banti, The Etruscan Cities and Their Culture (London, 1973)
F. Boitani et al. (eds), Etruscan Cities (London, 1976)
L. Bonfante (ed.), Etruscan Life and Afterlife (Warminster, 1986)

G. Camporeale, The Etruscans Outside Etruria (Los Angeles, Calif., 2004)

A. Carandini, Rome: Day One (2011)
T. J. Cornell, The Beginnings of Rome (1995)
T. J. Cornell and J. Matthews, Atlas of the Roman World (1982)
M. Cristofani, The Etruscans. A New Investigation (Michigan, 1979)

G. Forsythe, A Critical History of Early Rome (2006)
A. Grandazzi, The Foundation of Rome (1997)
M. Grant, The Etruscans (London, 1980)
J.F. Hall (ed.), Etruscan Italy (Provo, Utah, 1996 [1997])
S. Haynes, Etruscan Civilisation (London, 2000)

R. R. Holloway, The Archaeology of Early Rome and Latium (1994)
V. Izzet, The Archaeology of Etruscan Society (Cambridge, 2007)
V. Izzet, 'Etruria and the Etruscans: recent approaches', in G. Bradley, E. Isayev and C. Riva (eds), Ancient Italy: Regions Without Boundaries (Exeter, 2007) 114-30

M. Pallottino, The Etruscans (London, 1976) [various editions]
M. Pallottino, A History of Earliest Italy (London, 1991)
T.W. Potter, The Changing Landscape of South Etruria (London, 1979)
T.W. Potter, Roman Italy (London, 1987)

T.C.B. Rasmussen, 'Archaeology in Etruria 1985-1995', Archaeological Reports for 1995-1996, no. 42,  48-58
D. & F.R. Ridgway (eds), Italy Before the Romans (London, 1979)
D. Ridgway, 'The Etruscans', in J. Boardman, et al. (eds), The Cambridge Ancient History 4(2). Persia, Greece and the Western Mediterranean c. 525 to 479 BC (Cambridge, 1988),  634-675
D. Ridgway et al. (eds), Ancient Italy in its Mediterranean Setting. Studies in Honour of Ellen Macnamara (London, 2000)

C. Riva, The Urbanisation of Etruria: Funerary Practices and Social Change, 700-600 BC (Cambridge, 2010)

H. H. Scullard, The Etruscan Cities and Rome (London, 1967)
C. J. Smith, Early Rome and Latium. Economy and Society, c. 1000 to 500 BC (1996)

C. J. Smith, The Etruscans. A very short introduction (Oxford, 2014)
N. Spivey, S. Stoddart, Etruscan Italy (London, 1990)

S. Stoddart, Historical dictionary of the Etruscans (Plymouth, 2009)
M. Torelli (ed.), The Etruscans (London, 2001) (exhibition catalogue)

J. M. Turfa, The Etruscan World. Routledge Worlds (London, 2013)

F. W. Walbank, A. E. Astin, M. W. Frederiksen and R. M. Ogilvie (eds.), The Cambridge Ancient History 7.2. The Rise of Rome to 220 BC (2nd edition, 1989), chapters 1–3